Ford vs. GM: Competing to Supply Tactical Vehicles to the US Army
Ford has signed an agreement with the Pentagon to supply three prototypes based on its F-series pickup trucks. The company is joining the competition against General Motors to provide tactical vehicles for the US Army.
The struggle for the production of tactical vehicles for the US Army is escalating. Following General Motors (GM), the largest vehicle manufacturer in the United States, Ford has also signed an agreement with the Pentagon to supply three prototypes based on its F-series pickup truck family. According to a company spokesperson, this is the most significant business opportunity in the military vehicle sector that Ford has secured since the Cold War era.
Ford thus joins the competition alongside GM to build vehicles for use by heavy infantry squads and for transporting troops and equipment. Both manufacturers have signed agreements to build prototypes, alongside Utah-based BC Customs.
In the list of the most popular vehicles in the United States for the first half of the year, published this month, Ford ranked first with the F-series, despite a 13.3% decrease compared to the same period last year. In second place is Chevrolet with the Silverado, and the third model on the list is the Honda CR-V, which recorded a 6.4% increase.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of negotiations the Pentagon is conducting with automakers to leverage their production capabilities to upgrade and refresh the US Army's military equipment. This follows the wear and tear caused by operations in the Middle East and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Army stated that it is interested in a six-person vehicle capable of transporting soldiers in difficult terrain and also acting as a mobile power source for UAVs, command systems, and other equipment.
The first deliveries of the Ford prototypes are expected to take place on March 30, 2027. As an advantage in the competition against GM, Ford highlighted the charging capabilities of the hybrid and electric F-150 pickup, which are capable of providing energy to homes and heavy equipment in the event of a power outage. The US Army has already purchased three prototypes from GM, based on the company's Chevrolet Silverado — one of the main competitors to the Ford F-150. GM CEO Mary Barra emphasized last week the company's profit potential from the defense sector, with a forecast for double-digit profit margins in the coming years, given a revenue forecast of $700 million from the GM Defense arm in 2026.
